The FSM is remarkable in having had four colonial administrations. The
islands (then called the Caroline Islands) were controlled by Spain until
the Spanish-American War of 1898. Following that war, Spain transferred
the islands to Germany. Japan seized the islands from Germany in 1915,
during World War I, and moved quickly to make several of them major naval
bases. Japan also built three lighthouses in the territory. The U.S. took
the islands from Japan in very hard fighting during World War II.

After the war, the U.S. administered the islands as part of the Trust
Territory of the Pacific Islands. The Federation, linking the states of
Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk, and Yap, was formed in 1979 and became independent
in 1986. The new country signed a compact of free association with the United States; this agreement provides for U.S. economic subsidies and continues various U. S. domestic services to Palau's citizens.

The capital of the Federation is Palikir, Pohnpei.

ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS
World List of Lights. Admiralty numbers are from volume M of
the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List
numbers are from Publication 111.

Note: Kosrae (pronounced koh-shy) is an isolated high island at the eastern end of the Federation. The island has a population of about 6600 and has twice a week air service from Guam and Honolulu.

Okat Harbor Range Rear

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); continuous white light. 16 m (52 ft) beacon on a square platform supported by piles. The tower carries a white triangular daymark, point down. The light is at the left of John McKenzie's sunset photo of the harbor, and Bing has a satellite
view. Okat Harbor, on the north side of Kosrae, is
adjacent to the island's airport. The front light is 300 m (330 yd) west
on a smaller tower. Accessible
only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M8459.1; NGA 10952.7.

Pohnpei (Ponape) State Lighthouse

Note: Pohnpei State consists of the high island of Pohnpei and a scattering of atolls to the east, west, and southwest. The state has a population of about 35,000 and includes the Federation's capital at Palakir.

Note: Chuuk State includes the large atoll of Chuuk (formerly called Truk) and numerous smaller atolls. It is the most populous state of the Federation, with a population approaching 50,000. The Chuuk Lagoon measures about 80 km by 50 km (50 by 30 miles) and is unusually deep; it was a major Japanese naval base during World War II.

1937. Inactive since 1941. Approx. 13 m (42 ft) concrete tower rising
from 1-story keeper's quarters. A photo appears above,
Chris Benti has a 2008 photo,
a 2009 photo and a 2012 photo are available, and Bing has
a satellite
view. This Japanese lighthouse guided ships into
one of the largest of the naval bases established in Micronesia. Chuuk (then
called Truk) was heavily bombed during the war, and the lighthouse is riddled
with shrapnel holes from a British strafing raid in early 1945. Located on
the Sapuk Peninsula at the eastern end of Weno, the principal island of Chuuk
atoll in central Micronesia. Accessible by a short walk from the elementary
school at the end of the road toward the east end of the island. Site and
tower open. ARLHS MIC-001.

Chuuk Northeast Pass

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); white flash every 6 s. 9
m (30 ft) round white concrete tower. No photo available, but Bing has
a satellite
view. Narrow but deep, Northeast Pass is a principal entrance to the
Chuuk lagoon. Located on the reef on the south side of the pass. Accessible
only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M8447; NGA 10944.

1940. Inactive since 1944. 32 m (105 ft) round concrete
tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 2-story operations building. The lighthouse, now abandoned and open to the elements, is riddled
with shrapnel holes and littered with abandoned equipment. A photo is at right, the University of
Hawaii has additional photos of the lighthouse entrance and interior, and Google has a satellite
view. Located at the western end of
Alet, the largest island of the Poluwat atoll, about 270 km (170 mi) west
of Chuuk. Site and tower open. ARLHS MIC-002.

1941. Apparently this lighthouse was never activated due to the onset of World War II. Another concrete Japanese lighthouse,
this one in ruins; it was blown up by Japanese forces late in 1944
because it was attracting too much attention from American bombers. Some
additional photos are
available (about 3/4 of the way down the page), and Google has a satellite
view of the site. The Todai Youth Club has posted a history of the lighthouse (.pdf file). Dalap is a
hill in the Gagil municipality on the eastern side of the Yap group. Located
at the highest point of the hill; accessible by a hiking trail. Site open.
ARLHS MIC-003.